In a precursor to sending man in space in Gaganyaan Mission, the Indian space agencyISRO will test its space docking capabilities tomorrow by joining two satellites flying at the speed of 28000 kmph up in the space.
All eyes will be agog tomorrow as the whole nation looks forward with a bated breath for a scheduled lift-off of two satellites on Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) on 30 December 2024 for docking (joining) in the near space.
This rare feat of bringing together two satellites in space is crucial as docking technology is key for long-term missions like “Chandrayaan-4” and the planned Indian space station. It is also crucial for the eventual manned “Gaganyaan” mission.
The Space Docking Experiment, or the SpaDEX, will mark a milestone for ISRO showcasing India’s expertise in spacecraft docking technology, says Dr Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State for Science &Technology and Department of Space.
Dr Singh informed mediapersons that (Indian Space Research Organisation) ISRO’s year-end mission scheduled for 30th December is “going to be a historic one as it will seek the rare feat of docking or merging or joining together two satellites in space.”
In an exclusive media interview, Dr Singh elaborated that the upcoming SpaDeX mission aims to dock two satellites in Space, a challenge only mastered by a few countries. This ambitious project will take place under the Space Docking Experiment and the indigenous technology used for this mission is called the “Bharatiya Docking System” [an equivalent of International Space Station].
This mission, said Dr Jitendra Singh, will mark India’s entry into the exclusive league of nations capable of mastering space docking. A unique approach, the PSLV rocket, will launch two satellites equipped with the ‘Bharatiya Docking System’ to demonstrate this complex feat, he added.
The success of this mission is vital for India’s future space ambitions, said the Minister. Docking technology is key for long-term missions like “Chandrayaan-4” and the planned Indian space station. It is also crucial for the eventual manned “Gaganyaan” mission.
In the near vacuum of space ISRO will attempt to dock two satellites orbiting at speeds of 28,800 km/h. This is a challenging task, as both satellites must be carefully maneuvered to reduce their relative velocities to a mere 0.036 km/h. The two satellites, designated ‘Chaser’ and ‘Target’, will merge to form a single unit in Space.
ISRO’s achievement will place India among the world’s space leaders, marking a step towards greater space exploration and innovation. SpaDeX is a significant milestone that paves the way for more complex space missions in the coming years. ISRO’s SpaDEX mission is set to launch on Dec 30, 2024, will demonstrate India’s Spacecraft Docking technology, marking a crucial step in space exploration and satellite servicing capabilities.
India is preparing for a key step in space exploration. ISRO will launch the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDEX) on December 30, 2024. The mission will use PSLV-C60, lifting off at 21:58 IST from Sriharikota. SpaDEX marks a milestone, showcasing India’s expertise in spacecraft docking technology.
SpaDEX will deploy two identical satellites, SDX01 and SDX02. Each satellite weighs around 220 kilograms and will orbit 470 km above Earth. Key objectives include Performing precision rendezvous and docking manoeuvres, Validating power transfer between docked spacecraft and Operating payloads post-undocking, with a two-year lifespan.
This mission is essential for future endeavours, including satellite servicing and building India’s space station, Bharatiya Antriksh Station.
SpaDEX will also use PSLV’s fourth stage, POEM-4, for experiments. The stage will carry 24 payloads from academic institutions and startups. These experiments will utilise the microgravity environment in orbit.
SpaDEX will demonstrate docking and undocking capabilities between satellites. This includes transferring power and operating scientific payloads. The mission will simulate a sequence of manoeuvres, starting with a far rendezvous phase at 20 km and ending with docking at 3 metres.
This capability is vital for India’s lunar and interplanetary missions. Docking technology enables multi-launch missions and supports future human spaceflight. Only the US, Russia, and China have mastered such advancements so far.
